Musical instrument controlling means



M y 1935- E. VERLINDEN 2,002,162

MUSICAL INSTRUMENT CONTROLLING MEANS Filed May 15, 1933 PL AY NEUTRALRERDLL ATTORNE Y Patented May 21, 1935 PATENT OFFICE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTCONTROLLING ANS Edmond Verlinden, Milwaukee, Wis. Application May 13,1933, Serial No. 670,821

7 Claims.

The invention relates to controlling means for automatic musicalinstruments such as organs and pianos.

An object of the invention is to provide simple,

efficient and reliable means for controlling the playing, rerolling,replaying and stopping of the music sheet of an automatic musicalinstrument.

Another object of the invention is to provide 7 an electromagneticallyoperated player control valve of simple and durable construction andcapable of economical manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control system for aplurality of the valves whereby one or more of the valves areselectively movable to one position and the other or otherssimultaneously movable to another position.

The invention further consists in the several features hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In the accompanying drawing,

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an automatic musical instrumentembodying the controlling means of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of a valve box showing one of thecontrol valves of the invention;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the valve box, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

In the drawing, the numeral designates a tracker-box provided with atracker-bar 2| over which a perforated music sheet 22 is drawn from amusic spool 23 onto a take-up spool 24. The movement of the music sheetis effected by means of a suction-operated motor 25 acting through atransmission mechanism 26, both of well known construction. To effectplaying, the take-up spool 24 is rotated to draw the music sheet forwardover the tracker-bar; and to effect rerolling, the music roll is rotatedin the opposite direction at a higher speed. The transmission also has aneutral position, so that when desired the music sheet and operatingspools may be held stationary; and the usual braking means are providedin order that no slack will develop in the music sheet under operatingconditions. The transmission mechanism includes a shifting lever 2'! tothe lower end of which is pivotally connected a shifting rod 28 actuatedby pneumatic means, hereinafter described, for placing the transmissionmechanism in a playing, rerolling or neutral position, as disclosed inmy United States Letters Patent No. 1,874,663, issued August 30, 1932.

The transmission shifting means includes pneumatics 29, and 3|. Thepneumatics 29 and 30 are mounted on opposite sides of a wedge-shapedsupporting block 32, while the pair of pneumatics 3| are mounted onopposite sides of a wedgeshaped supporting block 33 and are simultaneous1y operable. The supporting blocks 32 and 33 are provided with suitableducts for applying suction to the pneumatics, as disclosed more fully inthe above patent. The pneumatics 29, 30 and 3| carry fingers 31, 38 and39, respectively, through the ends of which slidably passes the shiftingrod 28, and each of these fingers carries an adjustable stop 40engageable with the adjacent supporting block to limit the deflation ofthe associated pneumatic and correspondingly limit the travel of theshifting rod. The shifting rod has secured thereto a pair of spacedcollars 4| and 42 adapted to be engaged by the fingers 31 and 38,respectively, and a pair of spaced collars 43 adapted to be engaged bythe fingers 39.

As in the above patent, the ducts in the supporting blocks communicatewith primary actions 44, 45, and 45 to control the application ofsuction to the pneumatics 29, 30, and 3|, respectively.

A valve box 47 is provided for the selective control of the primaryactions 44, 45, and 46 and includes a suitable casing 48. A valve board49 is secured to a vertical Wall of the casing and is connected by ducts50, 5|, and 52 with the respective primary actions 44, 45, and 46. Theducts 50, 5|, and 52 terminate in spaced ports opening at the bottomsurface of the Valve board and controlled by disk valves 53, 54, and 55,respectively. Each disk valve is carried on a vertical valve stem 55loosely and slidably fitting in a vertical guide bore 51 formed in thevalve board, the upper end of the bore 51 being closed to insure againstleakage.

The valves 53, 54, and 55 are movable to alternative open and closedpositions by respective double-acting electromagnetic mechanisms 58, 59,and 60 mounted in the casing 48. Each mechanism comprises a rectangularframe 6| on which are carried a pair of spaced parallel selectivelyenergized electromagnets 62 and 63. A T-shaped armature 64 has its legportion between the electromagnets and pivotally supported on the frameby a pintle 65, and has its head portion adjacent the pole pieces of theelectromagnets to be attracted in either direction. The part of the.frame carrying the electromagnets and suppoiting the armature ispreferably of magnetic material. The armature is held in its alternativepositions by a spring-pressed toggle 66, and resilient stops 6! on theframe limit the maximum travel of the armature. Wiring terminals 68, 69,

and H1 are carried on the frame and connected each valve stem isscrew-threaded for holding.

the disk valve and a pair of spaced leather nuts E3, the upper of whichforms a lock nut for the valve. The slotted end of each armature isloosely mounted between the nuts 13 to move the valve to open or closedpositions. 7 The downward opening movement of the valve stems isadjustably limited by a padded stop bar M which is adjustably secured tothe casing by screws 15 passing through vertical slotsl6 in the oppositeend portions of the bar. The valve board 49 is also verticallyadjustable by attaching screws 15' passing through vertical slots 75 inthe opposite end portions of the board. 7

The electromagnets (52 and 63 are momentarily energized, as hereinafterdescribed, to operate the valves, and the, valves are retained in openor closed positions by the spring-pressed toggle bars $5. 'In normaloperation, only one of the three valves 53, 5 and 55 is open at anyonetime, the other two being closed. The ducts 58,5 l and 52 controlledbythese valves are each under suction when the corresponding valve isclosed, and the opening of the valves admits atmospheric pressure to theducts to selectively operate the primary actions 1 i, 35, and 4h For themanual control of the valve'box 4? there are provided circuit-closers orpush buttons 03, le -l, and H15, respectively labeled play, neutral, andreroll. The circuit-closers are disposed at any suitable location, andin some instances duplicate sets of the circuit-closers may be providedat diiierent locations. The circuitclosers m3, Hit, and I05 controlrespective electromagnetic relays 8B, 81, and B8 of well-knownconstruction disposed at any convenient location, and are connected withterminals of the electromagnets thereof by respective conductors 99,Hill,

and liil; The other terminals of these electromagnets areconnected by acommon conductor 9'3 with one terminal of a suitable source of currentQ8, and the other terminals of the circuitclosers are connected to theother terminal of the current source by a common conductor I91. Eachrelay includes a set or gang of contact members which are bridged whenthe relay is operated. One contact member or" each relay is connected bya conductor ill to one terminal of the current source 83, and aconductor l8 connects the other terminal of the current source with thecommon terminals of the electromagnets 62 and 63 of the valve mechanisms58, 59, and 69. Conductors l9, 89, and Si connect contact members of therelays 36, El, and 88, respectively, with the open electromagnets 62 ofthe valve mechanisms 58, Sii, and 59, respectively. Conductors 82'and 83connect contact members of the relay 36 with the closed electromagnets53 of the valve mechanisms 6! and 59, respectively. The conductors 82and 83 also connect with contact members of the relays 88 and 8?,respectively. A con-- ductor 85 connects contact member of the relays8'3 and 83 with the closed electromagnet 63 of the valve mechanism 53.

' In addition to the manual control of relays 86, 8?, and 88, theserelays are also under automatic control for efiecting the stopping,rerolling atmospheric pressure to the duct. The duct N38 is connected toa primary action lid of well known construction and the latter isconnected by a duct ill to a pneumatically operated circuit-closer H2or" well known construction. The circuit-closer includes a bank ofcontact members which are bridged when suction is applied to the device.One of the contact members is connected by a conductor l2il joining theconductor ti l leading to the current source and another contact memberis connected by a conductor H21 joining the conductor lEil leading tothe electromagnet of t--e reroll. relay 8%. Other contact members may beconnected by conductors H22 and E23 for controlling the oii positions ofcombination and expression devices, not shown.

The take-up spool 2 is provided at one end with a pivoted trigger plateill which ismovable outwardly when uncovered by the narrowed end of themusic sheet, as in the above patent, into proximity with an arm of arock-shaft I29 journalled invthe side wall of the tracker-box. Astationary valve seat member H39 is arranged adjacent the outer end ofthe rock-shaftand is provided with one or more ports one of which isconnected by a duct l3l. A valve 32 is pivotally mounted on the valveseat member i313 and normally closes the ports, in which suction normally exists. The outer end of the rock-shaft is provided with an armengageable with the valve I32 to open theports and thus expose the'portsto atmospheric pressure. This opening movement of the valve l32 iseffected at the conclusion of the rerolling operation by the rock-shaft129, which is engaged and swung by the then projecting trigger plate i22.When the take-up spool turns in playing direction, the trigger plateslides by the rock-shaft and islheld at its inner position 'as-soon asit is covered by the music sheet. 7

The duct lei is connected to a two-way valve :36 by which it is placedin selective communication with other'ducts i3 3 and i155, as in theabove patent. The ducts ltd and E35 lead to different units of theprimary action Ht which are connected by respective ducts i139 and IE9with respective pneumatically operated circuitclosers M8 and it!) ofwell'known construction similar to the device H2. Each of thecircuitclosers MB and Hit includes a bank oi contact members which arebridged when suction is applied, one contact member of each bank beingconnected to the current source conductor E26. Another contact member ofthe device Mt is connected by a conductor l5l joining the conductor I00leading to the neutral relay 8?, and another contact member of thedevice Hill is connected by a conductor l68 leading the play relay 86.The conductors i222 and l23 may also be connected with contact membersof the circuitcloser ME. V

In operation, a music sheet or roll is placed in the tracker-box and ishooked to the take-up spool 24 in the usual manner, the trackertransmission at this time beingin neutral position. The operator thenmomentarily depresses the play circuit-closer I93, which establishes acircuit from the source of current 98, through the conductor Hill, thecircuit-closer M3, the conductor 99, the electromagnet oi the relay. 86,and the conductor 97 back to the source of current.

When the relay 86 is thus operated, a circuit is established from thesource of current 98, con ductors 9? and 17, conductor I9, electromagnet62 of the valve device 58, and conductor 78 back to the source ofcurrent. Simultaneously, other circuits are established by the relay 86through the conductors 82 and 83, the electromagnets 63 of the valvedevices 683 and 59, and the conductor I8. The energizing of theelectromagnet 62 of the valve device 58 swings the armature 64 and pullsthe disk valve 53 downwardly to open position, time uncovering the portfor the duct 56. The energizing of the electromagnets 63 of the valvedevices 66 and 59 similarly causes the disk valve 55 to move upwardlyagainst the valve board to close the duct 52, the duct being alreadyclosed by the disk valve 54. The opening of the valve 53 admitsatmospheric pressure to the duct 50 and actuates the primary action 44to apply suction to the play pneumatic 29. The deflation of the playpneumatic moves the shifting rod 28 to the right as viewed in Fig. l andswings the transmission lever 21 to playing position, the otherpneumatics 33 and 3i being free to expand. The motor then drives thetakeup spool 24 to effect the travel of the music sheet in playingdirection.

At the conclusion of playing the perforation I 99 in the music sheetregisters with the duct I98 connected to the tracker-bar, thus admittingatmospheric pressure to the primary action [Iii and operating thecircuit-closer H 2. A circuit is thus established from the source ofcurrent 98 through the conductors H31 and I26, the bridged contactmembers of the circuitcloser H2, conductors I2! and electromagnet of there-roll relay 88 and conductor 9? back to the source of current. Therelay 88 is thus operated and establishes a circuit including theconductor 81 and electromagnet 62 of the valve device 59 to move thedisk valve 54 to open position. Other circuits are simultaneouslyestablished by the relay 88 through the conductors 84 and 82 andelectromagnets 63 of the valve devices 58 and 68 to close the disk valve53, the disk Valve 55 being already closed. The opening of the valve 54admits atmospheric pressure to the duct El and actuates the primaryaction 45 to apply suction to the reroll pneumatic 3D. The deflation ofthe reroll pneumatic shifts the transmission to reroll position,whereupon the music sheet is rewound onto the music spool 23. Thepneumatically operated reroll circuit-closer 1 l2 may also establishbranch circuits through the conductors I 22 and I 23 to controlcombination and expression devices, not shown, which are therebyrendered inefiective during the rerolling operation. The circuit throughelectromagnet of the reroll relay 88 may also be established through themanually operated circuit-closer E65, and this may be done at any pointin the playing operation.

At the conclusion of rerolling, the convergent or narrowed end of themusic sheet exposes the trigger plate I21 on the take-up spool andpermits the plate to move outwardly for swinging the rock-shaft 129,which lifts the valve I32 and opens the duct I3I to atmosphere. If thestopreplay valve I36 is placed in stop position, the duct I3lcommunicates with the duct I34 to admit atmospheric pressure to thelatter duct for operating a unit of the primary action I I0. By way ofthe duct I39 suction is applied to the circuit-closer I40, causing thecontact members thereof to be bridged and a circuit established from thesource of current 98, conductors I01 and I26, the bridge contactmembers, conductors E54 and lot, the electromagnet or" the neutral relay8'! and conductor 5? back to the source of current. The relay 8?establish s a ci cuit including the conductor 88 and e-lectromagnet 62of the valve device opening the valve Other circuits are establishedincluding the conductors E i and 83 and electromagnets 53 of the valvedevices 58 and 59, closing the valve 54, the valve being already closed.The opening of the valve admits atmospheric pressure to the duct 52 andactuates the p; any action 46 to apply suction to the neutral pneumaticsiii. The deviation of these pneumatics shifts the transmission toneutral position, whereupon the music sheet is held stationary andcreeping of the transmission is avoided. The abutment of the triggerplate 27 on the take-up spool with the rock-shaft stops the rotation ofthe take-up spool so the music sheet will not become unhooked from '16spool. The neutral position of the t mission may also be obtained at anypoint in the travel or" the music sheet by the manually operated neutralcircuit-closer I04.

Ii automatic replaying of the music sheet is desired, the stop-replayvalve 335 is moved to replay position when the music sheet is installedor at any till e prior to the conclusion of rerolling. The opening ofthe valve 32 by the trigger then admits atmospheric pressure into theduct 5 to operate the corresponding unit of the primary action iii}through which suction is applied to the circuit-closer by Way of theduct i The circuit-closer c 68 establishes a circuit ironthe source ofcurrent conductors It? and bridged contacts of the circuitcloser,conductors l and electromagnet of the play relay 8E, and conductor 97back to the source of current. The relay 88 th n places the transmissionto play position in a manner previously described.

In the event that all three of the adjacent circult-closers 93, I M, andH35 are simultaneously depressed through carelessness or inadvertence,no damage will result, and the last circuit-closer released willdetermine the operative position of the transmission. The valve devices58, 59, and Gil operate quickly and positively, so as to insure promptaction with short momentary contacts at the several circuit-closers. Thevalve devices are also capable of use with other musical instrumentcontrols, and it is obvious that one or more of the devices may beactuated to one position while the remaining one or ones are actuated tothe other position.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination of a. tra sion, pneumatically operated shiftingsaidtransmission to playing and rerolling positions, a control valve foreach of said devices, double-acting electromagnetic means for each valveto move the valve to alternative positions, and electric circuit meansfor energizing the electromagnetic means of each valve in selectiveopposite senses and for simultaneously energizing the otherelectromagnetic means in the other sense, said electric circuit meansincluding circuitclosing devices for the respective valves, eachcircuit-closing device having an electrical' connection with theelectromagnetic means of both valves to effect the opposed movements ofsaid valves. 7

3. The combination of a tracker-box transmission, pneumatically operateddevices for shifting said transmission to playing and rerollingpositions, a control valve for each of said devices, a pair ofelectromagnets for each valve to move the valve to alternativepositions, a relay for each valve, circuit means for selectivelyoperating said relays, and electric circuit means controlled by saidrelays for selectively energizing the, electromagnets' of one valve andfor simultaneously energizing the opposed electromagnet of the othervalve, each relay having a circuit connection with one electromagnet ofthe respective valve and with the opposed electromagnet of the othervalve. 7

4. The combination of a plurality of valves each movable to alternativepositions, doubleacting electromagnetic means for each valve to move thevalve to said alternative positions, and electric circuit means forenergizing the electromagnetic means of at least one valve in selectiveopposite senses and for simultaneously energizing the otherelectromagnetic means in the other sense, said electric circuit meansincluding circuitclosing devices for the respective valves, eachcircuit-closing device having an electrical connection with theelectromagnetic means of both valves to effect the opposed movement ofsaid valves. 7 V 5. The combination of a double-acting electromagneticmechanism having an'armature movable to opposite positions, a valve bodyhaving a valve seat andhaving a port and a laterally adjacent boreopening at said valve seat, and a valve engageable with said valve seatto cover said port and having a valve stem slidably guided in said boreand connected with said armature for moving the valve to alternativepositions closing or exposing said port, said valve when engaging saidseat closing both said port and bore.

6. The combination of a double-acting electromagnetic mechanism havingan armature movable to opposite positions, a valve body having a valveseat and having a port and a laterally adjacent bore both opening atsaid valve seat, said bore extending perpendicularly to said seat andhaving a closed inner end, a valve engageable with said valve seat tocover said port and bore and having a valve stem slidably guided in saidhere, said valve stem being connected with said armature for moving thevalve to alternative positions closing or exposing said port.

'7. The combination of a plurality of at least three valve means eachmovable to alternative positions, a pair of electromagnets for eachvalve means to move the means to alternative positions, and electriccircuit means for energizing said electromagnets and including aplurality of circuit-closing devices, each device having an electricalconnection with one of the electromagnets of at least one valve meansand with the opposed electromagnets of the other valve means.

EDMOND VERLINDEN.

